The SupplyChainBrain Podcast

Andrea Belk Olson, a corporate strategist and behavioral scientist, dives into the pitfalls of corporate language. She explores why buzzwords like 'premium' and 'committed' fail to connect and often lead to inaction. Organizations gravitate towards vague expressions to avoid commitment, but this undermines effective strategy. Andrea emphasizes the importance of coherence in translating language into actionable steps, cautioning against following trendy jargon. The discussion also touches on the emotional aspects of branding and the pitfalls of sameness in corporate messaging.

Supply chains are becoming the new frontlines of geopolitics.

Matt Dollard, Senior Industrials Analyst at RSM, dives into the complexities of reshoring manufacturing to the U.S. He discusses how high tariffs alone won't solve the issue and emphasizes the need for stable trade policies. Matt highlights significant challenges such as skilled labor shortages and the necessity for upgraded infrastructure. He also warns about competition for energy resources from data centers. Ultimately, he stresses that both incentives and coherent policy frameworks are essential for successful reshoring efforts.

Michael Rabinowitz, Founder and CEO of Co-Enterprise, dives into the essential topic of automating the B2B order-management lifecycle. He explores the traditional challenges of manual processes and over-ordering, highlighting the transformative role of automation. Rabinowitz discusses the importance of shared data and trust, how agentic AI can predict demand spikes, and the need for human oversight in AI systems. He also emphasizes the business benefits of collaboration and the urgency for suppliers to engage in automation for better efficiency.

Bart De Muynck, an industry thought leader in supply chain management, shares his insights on what shippers truly need in today's volatile landscape. He emphasizes the importance of building proactive resilience through scenario planning and quality data. Bart also discusses the challenges of AI adoption in supply chains, highlighting the need for clarity and training to improve outcomes. He advocates for CEO-driven transformation and stresses that strategic focus is essential for turning insights into actionable decisions. A riveting conversation on navigating complexity!

Rocky Mullick, Vice President of Digital Transformation at GEP, dives into the revolutionary realm of Intelligent Category Management (ICM). He discusses how AI, particularly agentic models, are transforming traditional procurement practices into dynamic, data-driven strategies. Rocky emphasizes the role of AI in enhancing decision-making, supplier risk management, and cross-functional collaboration. He also shares insights on the growing adoption of ICM and offers practical tips for organizations looking to implement these innovative solutions.

The United States’ dependence on basic minerals from China and other foreign sources is a huge problem, both from an economic and defense perspective.

On this bonus episode of The SupplyChainBrain Podcast, SupplyChainBrain editor-in-chief Bob Bowman speaks with Gary van Tassel, director of terminal and distribution center operations at software provider INFORM.

The U.S. economy appears to be in decent shape – but there could be some dark clouds massing on the horizon.

On this bonus episode of The SupplyChainBrain Podcast, SupplyChainBrain editor-in-chief Bob Bowman speaks with Maneet Singh, CIO and chief digital officer of Odyssey Logistics, about the prospects, promise and limitations of artificial intelligence.